Manchester United target Declan Rice ‘would change everything’ at Old Trafford if he arrived this summer, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Red Devils have reportedly made the 23-year-old one of their top targets for the upcoming transfer window as incoming manager Erik ten Hag looks to stamp his mark on the first-team squad.

What is the latest news involving Man Utd?

United are set to miss out on Champions League football next season after putting in several disappointing displays under former boss Ole Gunner Solskjaer and his interim replacement Ralf Rangnick.

Many changes are expected to take place in the red half of Manchester as a result, with Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani, Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic all edging towards the exit door.

According to ESPN, the likes of Anthony Martial, Eric Bailly and Aaron Wan-Bissaka could follow suit, meaning Ten Hag will need to bring in multiple replacements.

The report states that a new striker, central midfielder and centre-back have been identified as the key areas for improvement by the United hierarchy, who are set to hand their Dutch leader a budget in the region of £100 million to £150m.

And it’s also been claimed that the 20-time English champions are ‘set to face no competition’ for Rice due to his other potential suitors having other priorities.

What has Jones said about Rice?

United have been credited with an interest in several intriguing stars, including Harry Kane, Christopher Nkunku and Pau Torres.

However, Jones believes Rice is the player who could transform the club’s fortunes after excelling for both West Ham and England over the last couple of campaigns.

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He told GiveMeSport: “They've got to be careful about the budget because they don't have hundreds of millions to just go and spend.

“Declan Rice, for me, is the one that would change everything. I think that he wants to move, he's ambitious, he’s young, and he would be a leader.”

Would Rice improve Man Utd?

Scott McTominay has often been deployed as United’s holding midfielder throughout 2021/22, and his underlying numbers indicate his place could be under threat by Rice’s potential arrival.

As per FBref, Rice has won 1.47 tackles per 90 minutes this season, made 2.73 interceptions, completed 6.97 passes that entered the final third of the pitch while pulling off 7.30 progressive carries.

Those figures outperform McTominay’s tallies of 1.29, 1.84, 3.92 and 4.86, respectively, indicating the West Ham ace, who has a £150m price tag, would be an upgrade on the Scotland international.